Counting mechanism



Feb. 27, 1940. i K Q BUG@ 2,191,877

COUNTING MECHANI SM glp l 2k3" Wr/762,96?

Feb. 27, 1940. K, C.- BUG@ 2,191,877

`COUNTING MECHANISM Filed June ll. 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. Z7, 1940.K. c. BUGG COUNTING MECHANISMV Filed June l1. 1956 6 Sheets-*Sheet 5Feb. 27, 1940. K. c. BUGG COUNTING MECHANISM Filed June 11, 1936 y 6Sheets-Sheet Feb; 27, 1940.

K. c. BUGG 2,191,877

COUNTING MECHANISM Filed June l1, 1936 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Paf Feb. 27,1940. K. c. BUGG 2,191,877

COUNTING MECHANISM Filed June 11, 193e e sheets-sheet e PatentedFeb.,27, 1940 UNITED sraras Y,2,191,377 conN'rmG MaonANrsM Kenly C.Bugs, Farmington, Mo., assignoito Neptune Meter Company, a corporationof New Jersey Application June 11. 1935, Serial No. 84,659

15 Claims..

This invention relates to counting mechanism. Objects of the inventionare to provide an intel proved counting mechanism having a series oiindicating or registering elements arranged in denominational orders andmounted for rota tion with and about a shaft adapted to be rotated; toprovide a frictional device for rotating the units indicating orregistering element when said shaft is rotated in one direction, and amena` i@ loer `for holding and preventing rotation or the remainingindicating or registering elements until said units element beginsturning from its t position to its 0 position; to provide devices uneder control of the units element for releasing said 'member from thetens element when, or about the time that, the units element reaches its9 position, and irictional supporting vand actuating means supported inpart hy said shaft and in part by the tens counting element for supEporting and rotating the tens counting element one step around saidshaft in a transferring operation while said units counting elementpasses from 9 to 0 position; and to provide releasing means undercontrol of the tens counting elc=` ment, and other elements in therespective higher denominational orders for releasing the higherdenominational elements to permit transfer from lower to higherdenominational orders with aca curacy and precision, by frictionalsupporting and actuating means like and supported the same as the saidmeans for the tens counting element.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved countingmechanism of the species herein disclosed utilizing frictional' drivingdevices for rotating the denominational elements in transferring fromlower to higher denominational' orders, and dispensing with the use ofthe usual Geneva gear or analogous devices heretofore used in manycounters and registers oi' the class to which the present inventionrelates.

Another object of the invention is to provide cooperating frictionaldevices supported in part by the operating shaft for rotating saidelements in one direction in counting operations, and in the oppositedirection in clearing operations, which is to say resetting them in zeropositions, when the shaft is rotated in said opposite direc tion fromthe direction in which it is rotated in counting operations. g

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be readilyapparent from the following description, reierence being made to theannexed drawings, in which- Fig. l is a front elevation of the casing 0rhous- `mechanism that is shown in Fig. 12.

ing in which the invention is enclosed, a part of the casing or housingbeing broken away to disclose parts of the invention.

idg; 2 is a longitudinal sectonalview of one embodiment of the counterand registering mech- 5 anisni.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view approximately on the line 3--3of. Fig. 2, showing the units counting element and cooperating devices.l0

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 'i--il of Fig. 2, showingthe tens counting element and the irictional devices for operating thesame, as well as the devices controlled thereby for releasing thehundreds counting element for a transfer l5 operation.

Fig. da is an enlarged view showing the devices controlled by the tenscounting element and the irictional devices for releasing the hundredscounting element for a transfer operation.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view approximately on the tine 5 5 of Fig. 2,showing the hundreds count- .ing element and cooperating devices.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 5-6 of. f Fig. 4. 25

Fig. 'l is a view showing the counting elements and the detents forstopping them in their clear or zero positions when they are rotated inthe direction opposite from that in which they are rotated in countingoperations.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the mechanism under control oi the unitscounting element for releasing the tens counting element for a transferoperation, and also showing the mechanism for releasing the hundredscounting element for a 35 transfer operation.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View of one of the counting elements on the line9-9 of, Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a View showing the position of the parts when the unitscounting element transfers 40 to the tens counting element and the tenscounting element transfers to the hundreds counting element.

Fig. 11 is a similar View showing the position of the' parts intransferring from units to tens.

Fig. 12 is an elevation of a counting and registering mechanism of amodied construction.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view o f the Figs. 14, 15 and 16 aretransverse sectional 50 views on the lines M |'5--I5 and lr6 -I6,respectively, of Fig. 13.

Fig. 17v (sheet 3) is a view showing an alternative form ot frictionalsupporting and actuating means for the counting elements above unitsdenominational order.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line I8-I9 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a plan view showing an alternative arrangement o f thedetents controlling transferring and-clearing operations of the countingelements. A

Fig. 20 is a sectional view approximately on the line 20--20 of Fig. 19.

Figs. 21, 22 and 23 are sectional views approximately on the similarlynumbered section lines respectively in Fig. 19.

Fig. 24 is a View showing a portion of a counting element and the detentdevice engaged therewith and designed specially for use in mechanismsrequiring rapid operation.

Fig. 25 is a similar view showing the detent device disengaged from thecounting element.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, the shaft I is-rotativelymounted in supports 2 and 3 and rotates in the direction of the arrows 4(Figs. 1 and 2) when it is rotated in countingvor registeringoperations. Said shaft may be rotated by various devices or mechanismswhich are not herein shown or described because illustration anddescription thereof are unnecessary for an understanding of thisinvention.

Between the supports Zand 3 a sleeve 6 is attached on the shaft I sothat said sleeve 6 is always rotated when said shaft I is rotated. A

' circumferential iiange 6 is formed on the sleeve 5 and constitutesone'member of a locking clutch when the shaft I is turned in thedirection of the arrow 4, and a sliding or slipping clutch member whenthe shaft I is tiu'ned in the opposite direction. v

An annular friction member 1 at the side of the flange 6 that is towardthe support I is attached to a units counting or registering elementcomprising an annular portion 9 and an inwardly extended portion 9 bydetachable and replaceable fasteners I passing through the inwardlyextended portion 9 and the member 1 and securing them in rigidrelationship. The friction member 1 is loose enough upon the sleeve 6 sothat said sleeve l is rotative with respect to the friction member 1 andthe units counting element 6 when the units counting element is held inits clear or zero position and the shaft I is rotated in the reversedirection from the arrow 4 in an operation to clear and reset allcounting elements in their clear or zero positions. A nut II is screwedon the threaded portion of the sleeve 6 adjacent to the frictionmember 1. A coiled spring I2 has one end attached to the nut Il and theopposite end attached to the shaft I (Figs. 2 and 3), and the energy ofsaid spring is exerted to screw the nut II on and along the threadedportion of the sleeve 6 and thereby hold the nut I I in frictionalcontact with the member 1. This frictional contact between the member 1and the nut Il *is enough to prevent any appreciable or objectionablerelative movements between the shaft I and the umts counting element 6when the shaft I is turned in the direction of the arrow 4. However,when the units counting element l is in its zero or clear position andis held orlocked against reverse rotation. the shaft I may be rotated inthe reverse direction, which is the direction opposite from thatindicated by the arrow 4 while the units counting element'is heldstationary and the counting elements in the respective higherdenominational ordersare turned to their clear hold the nut II fromturning with said sleeve and thereby to screw said nut II toward andagainst the member 1; and, when the shaft I and sleeve 5 are turned inthe opposite direction, the

nut I I will be released and loosened from clamping engagement with themember 1. This slight loosening of the nut I I is enough to permitcontinued reverse turning of the shaft'l while the units countingelement continues to be held stationary.

An angle bar frame member I3 is rigidly attached to the supports 2 and3. A detent I4 has one end pivotally supported by the bar I3 and theopposite end pressed against the part 9 of the units counting element bya spring I5 having one end connected with said detent and the oppositeend attached to the bar I3 (Fig. 3). The

part 9 of the units counting element is formed with a hole I6 into whichthe free end of the detent I4 will be drawn and held by the spring I6when the units counting element is in its clear or zero position. Whenthe shaft I is turned in the direction of the arrow 4 in counting orregistering operations, the units counting element is turned therewith,as indicated by the arrows I1 (Fig. 3) and the free end of the detent I4will become disengaged from within the hole I6 and will press againstthe surface of the part 9 of the units counting element. When the shaftI is turned in .the opposite direction from that indicated by the arrow4, the units counting element will be turned therewith in the directionof the arrow I8 (Figs. 3 and 7) until the detent I4 engages in andlabuts against the end wall of the hole I6 and stops further reverserotation of the units counting element. The relationship of the parts issuch that the units counting element is stopped by the detent I4 fromreverse rotation when said units counting element is in its clear orzero position, in which position the unitscounting element is shown inFig. 1 'of the drawings.

The periphery of the units counting element has thereon all of thedigits from "0 through 1 to 9, and these digits are moved opposite andacross the sight openings or slots I9 in an appropriate housing orcasing 20 during counting operations. When all of the counting elementsare in their clear or zero positions, each of' said counting elementspresents "0" at or opposite said sight openings I9.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, all ofthe counting elements in higher denominational orders are supported andoperated by like frictional supporting and operating devices.v In thepresent case, and to afford a sumcient understanding of the invention, Ihave illustrated only units, tens and hundreds counting elements, whichare capable of counting or registering as high as 999. In the drawings Ihave applied to the parts of the hundreds counting element that areanalogous to parts of the tens coimting element the same referencenumerals that are applied to the parts of the tens counting element,with the addition of ex-l ponents.

The tens annular counting element 2| is like the annular units countingelement l and is provided with similar peripherally displayed digits,

and has an inwardly extended portion 22. l A

pair of rollers 23 are rotatively'supported on axle studs 24 attached toand projecting from the portion 22 parallel with the axis of the shaftI. Each roller 23 is formed with a circumferential groove 25 receivingthe margin of a disc 26 that is rigid with a hub 21 which is rigidlysecured on the shaft I. The axes of the rollers 23 are approximately 120apart more or less (Fig. 4).

Apivot 28 attached to the portion 22 of the counting element 2| supportsa lever 29. A roller 39 is rotative on an axle 3| attached to the lever29 and has a circumferential groove 32. This roller 3o is a duplicate ofthe rollers 23 and is circumferentially spaced approximately 120 more orless from'each of said rollers 23. The groove 32 receives the peripheralmargin oi the disc 26. A spring 33 has one end connected with anextension 34 of the axle 3| and the opposite end connected with a pin 35attached to and projecting from the portion 22 between the rollers 23 sothat said spring holds the roller 30 in close engagement with the disc2t. Obviously (Fig. t) these devices support the tens counting elementdi exactly or approximately coaxial with the shaft il and in axialalinemcnt with the units counting element 8. The two rollers t@ and theroller 33 clampingly or frictlonally engage the periphery of the disc 2twith sumcient force or pressure to turn the counting element 2i icy saiddisc when the shaft I is rotated in the direction i of the arrow 33(Fig. li) unless the counting elemment 2| is positively held againstsuch turning. In the present invention, turning of the countn1 ingelement 2l in the direction of the arrow titi is positively preventeduntil the units counting element 8 starts to pass from 9 to 0 andpermits a transfer turning movement of the tens counting element 2| onedigit step which, in the present instance, is an advance equal. toonetenth of a revolution of said tens counting elefment.

A lever 31 (Fig. 8) has one end mounted on a pivot 38 supported by thebar i3 and on its op= posite end has a cam 39. pressing against theportion 9 of the units counting element. A link 43 has one end pivotedto the lever 31 and the opposite end pivoted to a detent 4I having oneend mounted on a pivot 42 supported by the har i3 and the opposite endengaging the portion 22 of the tens -counting element. ln zero or clearposition, the free end of the detent 4I engages in a hole 43 (Figs. 1land 8) and positively prevents turning of the tens counting element 2|in the direction of the arrows 44 (Fig. 8) Whichls the direction inwhich all of the counting elements turn when theynare operated incounting and transferring operations respectively. A spring 45 havingone end engaged with the link 40 and the opposite end engaged with astud 46 projecting from the bar I3 holds the cam 39 or the. lever 31 andthe end portion of the vdatent 4I,

against the portions 9 and 22 of the units and tens counting elementsrespectively. When the tens counting element is in its zero or clearposition (Fig. 1), the detent 4| is engaged in the hole 43 (Figs. 4 and8) A cam 41 is supported by the portion 9 of the units counting elementin position to move against the cam 39 and thereby swing the lever 31toward the tens counting element when the units counting element reachesits 9 position and, in passing from 9 position to 0 position,

` requires a transfer operation of the tens counting element in order tocount or register the correct amount. When the lever 31 islmoved awayfrom the units counting element by the c'am 41 during rotation of theshaft I in the direction of the arrow 4, the link 43 disengages thedetent 4I from the hole 43 and the frictional supporting and operatingdevices 23, 26 and 30 that support the tens counting element will turnor advance the tens counting element one digital step. The relationshipof the cams 39 and 41 is such that the detent 4| is released from thetens counting element at the proper time so that said tens countingelement in its transfer movement may turn in synchronism with the unitscounting element while the units counting element is turning from 9position to 0 position.

When the tens counting element ls advanced or turned one digital stepfrom aero position, the detent 4i becomes engaged in the nent adjacentone of an annular series of nine additional holes 43 one of which isprovided for each ci the digits from l to 9, the hole i3 being pro videdfor (i. Thus (Fig. 4) when the tens counting element advances in thedirection of the arrow t@ from position to l position, the detent diwill engage in the next adjacent hole it and `will stop and prevent:further rotation of the tens counting element until another transieroperation from units to tens is required, whereupon the operation isrepeated, and so on.. successively.

in order to clear or reset the counting elements in their aeropositions, the shaft i is rotated in the opposite direction from thatindicated by the arrow 6l, as before mentioned. This reverse rotation ofthe shaft il rotates therewith the disc to which cooperates with therollers 23 and 30 to support and rotate the tens counting element. Whenthe tens counting element is rotated reversely from the arrow 49, thedetent ti will not prevent such rotation, due to the cam-like for mation50 at the free end thereof. In order to stop the tens counting elementin its clear or zero position, i provide a detent mounted on a pivot 52supported by the bar I3 and having a cam-like end 53 adapted to engagein a widened portion 54 of one of the holes 48 'when said widenedportion 5d is opposite said cam-like end 53 of said detent 5i (Figs. iand '1) .A spring 55 holds the cam 53 of the detent 5| in engagementwith the tens counting element so that the cam end 53 of said detent 5|will be immediately engaged in the hole 54 when said hole 54 is at saidcam end 53 and in position for such engagement thereby. This occurs atthe same time that the cam end 59 of the detent 4| engages in the hole43. This is at the time that the tens counting element is in its clearor zero position and the detent 5I will positively prevent furtherreverse rotation of the tens counting element. It will be observed that,4due to the frictional supporting and operating devices for the unitsand tens counting elements, said counting elements will be rotatedsimultaneously in clearing operations until one orv the other is stoppedwhile the other counting element continues to rotate toward its clear orzero position, if different digits were indicated by said countingelements. Y

The detent 4I' for the hundreds counting ele' arm 59 and an inwardlyextended arm 60 is supported on a pivot 6| attached to the lever 58. Oneend of the spring 56 is connected with the detent 4|' and the oppositeend of said spring is attached to a stud a. (Fig. 8) projecting from thebar I3 in position to be engaged by a shoulder b on the lever 58 tolimit extent of movement of said lever 58 toward tens counting elementand prevent said lever 58 from moving the lever arm 59 under the detent4|. A spring 62 (Fig. 4a) connecting said lever 59--60 with the lever 58holds the arm 59 out of the Way of the detent 4| so that said detent 4|may move freely away from the tens counting element until transfer fromthe tens counting element to the hundreds counting element is required,which is when the tens counting element lis moved from 9 position to "0position in a transferring operation from units counting element to tenscounting element. A lug 63 projecting from the' portion 22 of the tenscounting element engages the lever arm 60 and thereby moves the leverarm 59 across the edge of the detent 4| when the tens counting elementis moved to its 9 position and holds the arm 59 across the edge of thedetent 4| so long as the tens counting element remains in its 9position. Assuming that the tens counting element is in its 9" positionand -a transfer from units to tens is taking place: The cams 39 and 41will swing the lever 31 toward the tens counting element, therebycausing the link 40 toswing the detent 4| out of engagement with thetens counting element. Because the arm 59 is at the side of the link'4l,said link 4| will engage said arm 59 and thereby swing the lever 58about its pivot and cause the link 51 to disengage the cam portion ofthe detent 4|' from the hole 43' in the hundreds counting element andpermit the frictional supporting and actuating devices for the hundredscounting element to turn said hundreds counting element one digital stepin a transfer operation, whereupon the end 50' of the detent 4| willengage in one of the holes 48 and stop further rotation of the hundredscounting element until another transfer operation of the hundredscounting element is required v A stud 64 (Fig. 4) projecting from thepart 22 in position to be engaged by the free end of the lever 29 willpositively prevent swinging movement of said lever 29 far enough in adirection to disengage the roller 30 from the disc 26, even when thedevice is subjected to comparatively rough treatment, as in shipping.Said stud 64 does not function as an abutment to hold the roller 30tight against the disc 26, but does prevent swinging moverrmnt of thelever 29 far enough to disengage the roller 30 from the disc 26 andleaves it to the spring 33 to hold the roller 30 against the disc 26. V

The stud 46 is in position to be engaged by a shoulder 65 (Fig. 8) onthe lever 31 and will hold the lever 31 and thereby the detent 4|, asWell as the detent 4|', in their properly extended positions forassembly in the device.

the arcuate or V-shaped portions 68 receive and press against theperiphery of a disc 10. It is apparent that. these springs, whenproperly formed and assembled in connection with the inwardly extendedportion 66 of a counting element and mounted on the disc 10, willsupport the counting element concentrically with the operating shaft lin a manner analogous to that in which the rollers 23 and 30 support thecountlng element c'oncentrically with the shaft l; and it is furtherobvious that, at the proper time, the respective counting elements inhigher denominational orders may be turned in transferring operations,assuming that the same transfer mechanism as that already described isused in connection therewith. l

The variation of the invention shown in Figs. 12 to 16, inclusive, is ahighly simplified device of considerably reduced dimensions and may beconveniently used in places in which the larger devices may not be usedsatisfactorily.

As shown, a shaft 1| is mounted for rotation in supports 12 and 13 whichmay be rigid frame members. A units counting element 14 is rigidlyattached to the shaft 1| and always rotates with said shaft when saidshaft is rotated. The units counting element has on its periphery inequally spaced relationship all of the digits and, in its clearposition, presents 0 opposite a sight slot or opening in the housing orcasing like the sight slot I9. A cam 15 is attached to the side of thecounting element 14 that is toward the tens counting element 16. A lever11 (Fig. 14) is attached to a sleeve 18 rotative on a shaft 19 attachedto the supports 12 and 13. A cam 80 on the free end of the lever 11extends adjacent to the units counting element 14 in position so that,when the units counting element reaches its 9 position, the cam 15 willbe engaged by the cam and the lever 11 will be moved in opposition to aspring 8|. One end of the spring 8| is attached to the lever 11, and theopposite end is attached to the shaft 19, and the energy of said springis exerted to move the free end of the lever 11 inwardly or toward theshaft 1|.Y

A detent 82 is attached to the opposite end of the sleeve 18. A seriesof ten notches 83 are formed in the periphery of the tens countingelement 16 at the left side or end thereof, and said notches are adaptedto receive successively a cam end 84 of the detent 82. 'I'he end wallsof said notches constitute abutments to cooperate with the detent 82 toprevent the tens counting element from turning constantly with the shaft1| and with the units counting element 14. However, as before mentioned,when the units counting element passes from 9 position to "0 position, atransfer operation of the tens counting element is required. 'Ihe cam 15had moved the lever 11 outwardly and had thereby turned the sleeve 18 towhich the detent 82 is attached. This turning movement of the sleeve 18had disengaged the cam end 84 of the detent 82 from the notch 83 inwhich said cam was seated, and a single digital step turning movement ofthe tens counting element is permitted, as required in transferring.Before the units counting element reaches its zero position in thistransferring operation, the cam 15 passes beyond the cam 88, and thespring 8| quickly moves the arm 11 inwardly, thereby turning the sleeve18 and engaging the -cam end 84 of the detent 82 in the next digitalnotch 83, to prevent further turning of the tens counting element untilanother trans- Ier operation thereof is required. In their counting andtransferring operations, the units counting element (Fig. 14), the tenscounting element (Fig. 15), and the hundreds counting element (Fig. 16)turn in the direction of the arrows 85.

A leaf spring, comprising an arm 86 and an inwardly extended arm 81, hassaid arm 86 attached to the detent 82 by a fastener 88. A laterallyextended cam 89 is attached to the tens counting element 16 and has itshigh point toward the hundreds counting element 90. When the tenscounting element 16 reaches its 9 position, the cam 89 is engaged by thespring arm 01 and pushes the spring laterally toward the hundredscounting element 90 and under a finger 9| formed in connection with adetent 92 and projecting across and adjacent to the periphery of thehundreds counting element 90 toward the tens counting element. Thedetent 92 is attached to a sleeve 93 rotatively supported on the shaft19. in the periphery of the hundreds counting element 90 at the leftside or end thereof, and said notches are adapted to receivesuccessively a cam end 95 of the detent 92. The walls of said notchesconstitute abutments to cooperate with the detent 92 to prevent thehundreds counting element from turning constantly with the shaft 1|. orotherwise. until a transfer from tens to hundreds is required. Transferfrom tens to hundreds is required only when the tens counting elementpasses from 9 to "0" position. When the units and tens counting elementspass from 9 positions to positions in transfer operations from units totens and from tens to hun'- clreds. the detent 82 is moved to and heldin its outward position by the lever 'l1 actuated by the cams i5 and 80.thereby moving the spring 8d, 9i? outwardly with theA detent 82. Whensaid spring liti. 81 is moved outwardly during movement of the tenscounting element from 9 position to 0 position, it is under and engagesthe finger 9| and moves the detent 92 out of engagement with thehundreds counting element 90 to permit a transfer operation thereof.

The tens counting element 16 and the hundreds counting element 90 aresupported for rotation about the shaft 1|, and for rotation with saidshaft in. transferring operations. The counting element 1E has in itshub a circular cavity 96 in which a circular spring 91 is located, saidspring having a rebent portion 98 attached to the shaft 1|. The spring91 applies constant pressure against a cylindrical wall of the cavity90, and said pressure is enough to rotate the tens counting element withthe shaft 1| whenever the 'detent 82 is disengaged from said tenscounting element. However, said spring applies only yielding frictionaipressure against the cylindrical wall of the tens counting element andwill permit the shaft 1| to rotate freely in counting operations withoutdamage toany of the parts.Y

When the detent 82 is disengaged from the tens counting element. saidtens counting element will A series of ten notches 94 are formed ytheten digits.

attac-hed thereto on the side toward the tens projecting from said tenscounting element toward the units counting element. The tens countingelement has a similar leaf spring |0| attached thereto and projectingfar enough toward the hundreds counting element to engage a pin |02projecting from the hundreds counting element toward the tens countingelement; and the hundreds counting element has a similar leaf spring |03attached thereto and projecting therefrom far enough toward the support13 to engage a pin |04 attached to said support and projecting towardthe hundreds counting element. In counting operations, when the countingelements are turned in the direction of the arrows 89 in theirrespective counting and transferring movements, the springs 99, |0| and|03 will rub against the ends of the pins |00, |02 and |04,respectively, and escape therefrom without objectionably orsubstantially retarding the turning movements of said counting elements.To clear and restore the counting elements to their zero positions, theshaft is turned in the opposite direction from that indicated by thearrows 05. This causes the ends of the springs 99, |0| and |03 to engageor abut against the pins |00, |02 and |04, respectively, and stop thecounting elements in their clear or zero positions. Thus, when thespring |00 abuts against the pin |01!I in a reverse turning or clearingmovement of the hundreds counting element 90, said counting eiement 90is thereby positively stopped in its aero position and cannot be turnedfurther in a reverse direction. After the hundreds counting element haslceen positively stopped as aforesaid,

abutment of the end of the spring itil against ing element 16, afterwhich abutment of the end of the spring 99 against the pin |00 willpositively stop and prevent further reverse turning movement of theunits counting element 1'0. When thus positively stopped, all of saidcounting elements are in their clear or zero positions.

When the tens counting element 'l0 is in its clear or zero position, thecam 84 of the detent 82 is engaged in one of the notches 83. Likewise,when the hundreds counting element 90 is in its clear or zero position,the cam 95 of the detent 92 is held in one of the notches 94 by a spring|05 (Fig. 16).

It should now be clear that the embodiment of the invention illustratedin Figs. 12 to 16, inclusive, is of relatively reduced dimensions incomparison with the dimensions of the device illustrated in thepreceding views of the drawings and may be mounted and used in placeswhere larger devices cannot conveniently be mounted and used. Theforegoing description of this modified embodiment of the inventionincludes a description of the operation thereof so that repetition ofthe operation appears unnecessary.

In the modification shown in Figs. 19 to 23, inclusive, the unitscounting element |06, the tens counting element |01, and the hundredscounting element |08 are mounted in axial alinement upon a shaftanalogous to the shaft and have equally spaced on their peripheries allof The units counting element has counting element a disc |09 providedin its periphery with a single notch I0 adapted to receive the zero stopdetent which will stop the units counting element in its zero or clearposition when said counting element is turned in the reverse directionby its supporting shaft, such as the shaft The detent H is pivoted on asleeve H2 mounted on a shaft H3. A lever H4 is attached to the sleeve H2and has on its free end a cam H5. A cam HB attached to the disc |09 willoperate against the cam H5 during movement of the units counting element|06 from its 8 position to its "9 position, and will swing the lever II4 outwardly in opposition to a spring H1 connecting said lever H4 withthe detent I (Fig. 21), and will support said lever H4 in its outwardposition so long as the units pinion remains in its 9 position. Thisoutward movement of the lever H4 will turn the sleeve ||2 a slightdistance about the shaft ||3 in order to release the tens countingelement preparatory for a transfer movement when the units `countingelement passes from 9 position to 0 position, as will now be explained.

The tens counting element itii has .attached thereto'an annular membertit provided in its periphery with a series of ten equally spacednotches iiii corresponding to the respective ten digits on the peripheryof said tens counting element |01. A detent |20 is attached to thesleeve ||2 and engages successively in the respective ten notches i9 toprevent the tens counting element from turning with the supporting shaftand with the units counting element until a transfer operation isrequired. `When the sleeve ||2 is turned by operation of the lever ||4by the cam H6, as before described, the detent |20 is disengaged fromany notch ||9 in which it is seated, permitting the frictionalsupporting and actuating means for the tens counting element, such asthat described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, to lturn thetens lcounting element one digital step to complete a transfer operationduring movement of the units counting element |06 from 9 `positionto "0position, When the units counting element |06 moves from "9 position to0 position, the cam ||6 moves from engagement with the cam ||5 andpermits the spring H1 to swing the lever |4 inwardly to its initialposition, thereby turning the sleeve |v| 2 slightly to engage the detent|20 with the periphery of the member |8 so that said detent will becomeseated in the next succeeding notch i i3, and thereby stop furtherturning movement of the tens counting element |01 after said tenscounting element has been turned one digital step. lin the 9 position ofthe units counting element, the high point or" the cam 6 engages thehigh point of the cam M5. Duringr turning movement oi the units countingelement from 9 position to il position in the direc.

tion of the arrows (Fig. 21), the cam iit is carried bevond and out ofengagement with the cam H5; and, during the same turning movement of theunits counting element from "9 to 0, the tens counting element is turnedone digital step.

A lever |2| has one end mounted on a pivot |22 supported by the tensdetent |20. and has an inwardly extended finger |23 at the side of themember H8. When the tens counting element passes from "8 position to 9position, a cam |24 attached to the member I8 operates against thefinger |23 andswings the lever |2| away from the tens counting elementand toward the hundreds counting element a distance sucient to placesaid lever |2I under a finger |25 formed in connection with the hundredsdetent |26 attached to a sleeve |21 mounted on the shaft H3. A spring|28 connects the tens detent 20 with a detent |29 pivoted on the sleeveH2 adjacent to said detent |20.` It is clear (Fig. 22) that said spring|28 will hold the detent |29 in contact with the periphery of the tensmember H8, and that said spring |28 cooperates with the spring H1. Thetens member H8 is provided with a zero stop notch |30 in which thedetent |29 is engaged when the tens counting element |01 is turned in areverse direction in a clearing operation and reaches zero position.

When the tens detent |20 is raised by operation of the lever |4 by thecam H5, as described, the lever |2| is also raised or moved outwardlywith the detent |20. Assuming that the lever |2| had been moved underthe finger |25 by the cam |24, as previously described, it is apparentthat outward movement of the tens detent |23 and the lever |2| supportedthereby will move the hundreds detent |26 out of engagement with themember |3| that is attached to the hundreds counting element |08. Thehundreds counting element |08 has a peripheral series of ten equallyspaced notches |32 corresponding to the digits on the periphery or" thehundreds counting element. When the hundreds counting element moves onedigital space or step, the detent |26 is released from the lever i 2|because the cam |24 will have passed beyond the finger |23, and a spring|33 (Figs. 19 and 22) will move the lever |2| out of engagement with thefinger 25, whereupon the spring i3d connecting the detent |26 with adetent |35 Will draw said detent |26 into the next succeedingperipherall notch |32 and positively stop further turning movement ofthe hundreds counting element. The detent |35 is a stop detent forengaging in a notch |36 in the periphery oi the member |3| to stop thehundreds counting element in its clear or zero position when thesupporting shaft, such as the shaft i, is turned in a direction toeffect clearing or resetting of the counting elements, as explained inthe description of Figs 1 to 11, inclusive.

In Figs. 24 and 25, a portion |31 oi' a counting element above unitsdenominational order is shown and is analogous to either of the elements||8 and |3|. The member |31 has in its periphery a series o1 ten equallyspaced notches |33 corresponding to the te'n digits on the periphery ofthe counting element (not shown) to which said member is attached. Anarm |39 dis places and is used in substitution` for each of the detente|20 and |23 and is similarly mounted and supported and operated. A pawl|40 is mounted on a pivot |4| on the arm |39 and has an appropriatelyshaped detent portion itz designed and adapted to engage in therespective notches |38. A spring |43 connects the pawl |40 with the arm|39 and tends to move said pawl from the positionshown in Fig. 24 to theposition shown in Fig. 25, extent of movement of the pawl |40 by thespring |43 being limited by a projection |44 extending from the pawl |40over the edge of the arm |39. In this position to which the pawl |40 ismoved by the spring I 43, the engaging portion |42 of said pawl isoutwardly beyond the periphery of the member |31 and is .beyond thenotch |38 from which it was disengaged, so `that it is impossible forsaid member |31 to engage said pawl until the arm I 39 is moved inwardlyin the manner in which the detents, |20 and |26 are moved inwardly, asbefore described. When the arm |39 is moved inwardlysthe detent end I 42will engage in the next adjacent notch |38.

When a transfer is made from units to tens for instance, the arm |39. isswung outwardly disengaged from the member |31 by said outward movementof the arm |39, the spring |43 immediately acts to swing said pawl fromthe position shown in Fig. 24 to the position shown in Fig. 25. In theposition to which the pawl |40 is moved by the spring |43, as shown inFig. 25, the engaging detent portion |42 of said pawl is beyond thenotch |38 in which it had been engaged and cannot again become engagedin the same notch |38. Thus, the tens counting element is immediatelyconditioned for a transfer operation, and such transfer operation cannotpossibly be prevented by the pawl |40, even when the device is operatedrapidly. The pawl |40 has a finger extending laterally therefrom acrossthe end of the arm |39 so as to provide an abutment to stop turningmovement of the pawl about the pivot |4| by the member |31 when saidmember |31 is turned in the direction of the arrow thereon.

It should be understood that the supporting and actuating means for themember |31 may be of any embodiment or form herein shown or described,or any other equivalent or satisfactory form and embodiment.` Thefeatures of the invention shown in Figs. 24 and 25 are of greatimportance, although briefly illustrated.

From the foregoing, it should be apparent that my invention is capableof embodiment in many forms and may be varied widely within the scope ofequivalent limits without departure from the nature and principlethereof.

Having properly illustrated and described my invention, I claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A counting mechanism comprising a shaft supported for rotation, acounting element supported for rotation by said shaft, a second countingelement of higher denominational order in axial alignment with saidfirst mentioned counting element, means for holding said second countingelement from turning with said first mentioned counting element untiltransfer from the first counting element is required, mechanismcontrolled by said first mentioned counting element for releasing saidholding means from said second counting element, and a frictionalactuating device supported by said shaft and supporting said tenscounting element in concentric spaced relation with said shaft forrotating said second counting element in a transfer .operation when saidholding means is released from said second counting element.

2. A counting mechanism comprising a shaft supported for rotation, aunits counting element supported by said shaft for rotation thereby, aseries of counting elements for successive higher denominational ordersin axial alinement with said units counting element, holding means forpreventing the respective counting elements above the unitsdenominational order from turning with said units counting element andvwith said shaft until transfer from the units counting element isrequired, mechanisms controlled by the units counting element and bythetens counting element respectively for releasing said holding meansfrom the tens counting element and from the hundreds counting elementwhen transfer from the units counting element to the tens countingelement and from the tens counting element to the hundreds countingelement is required, and frictional actuating devices for the tenscounting element and the hundreds counting element respectivelysupported by said shaft and supporting said elements in concentricspaced relation with said shaft for rotating said tens and hundredscounting elements in transfer operations when said holding means isreleased therefrom as aforesaid.

3. A counting mechanism comprising a shaft supported for rotation, unitsand tens counting elements coaxial with said shaft for rotation thereby,means for operatively driving the units counting element from saidshaft, a holding device preventing said tenscounting element fromturning with said shaft until transfer from the units counting elementis required, a lever, means for operating said lever by said unitscounting element before transfer is to be made from the units countingelement to the tens counting element, means operated by said lever forreleasing said holding device from said tens counting element, andfrictional'means supporting said tens counting element in concentricspaced relation with said shaft operated by said shaft for turning saidtens counting element in a transfer operationv when said holding deviceis released therefrom as aforesaid.

4. A counting mechanism comprising a rotary shaft, a units countingelement supported for rotation by said shaft, a tens counting element 1naxial alinement with said units counting ele,- ment, a holding devicefor stopping and holding said tens counting element in the differentdigital positions to which said tens counting element is turned,mechanism operated by said units counting element for releasing saidholding device from said tens counting element for a transfer operation,frictional means supporting said tens counting element in concentricspaced relation with said shaft operated by said shaft for turning saidtens counting element a digital step when said holding device isreleased therefrom as aforesaid, and means for causing said holdingdevice to stop turning movement of said tens counting element after saidtens counting element has been turned one digital step in a transferoperation as aforesaid. i 5. A counting mechanism comprising a shaftsupported for rotation, a units counting element and a series ofcounting elements for successive higher denominational orders in axialalinement with' each otherV and coaxial with said shaft, means forsupporting and turning said units counting element with said shaft,frictional means for supporting and holding said counting elements ofhigher denominational orders in concentric spaced relation with saidshaft for operation by said shaft in transferring operations, detentsholding said counting elements of higher denominational orders fromturning until a transfer from vthe next lower adjacent counting elementis required,.mechanism operated by said units countingV element forreleasing the detent from the tens counting element for a transferoperation of said tens counting element, and devices operated by saidmechansm forreleasing the detent from the hundreds counting elementwhen, transfer from the tens counting element is required.

6. In'4 a counting mechanism, a counting element in unitsydenominational order, an adjacent counting element in tensdenominational order forindicating transfers from units order, v

a pivotedarm adjacent to tens counting element, a detent pivotallysupported by said arm for eneasing and holdingsaid tens counting elementand disengaging said detent from said tens counting element, and meansfor moving said detent to position in which it cannot be engaged withsaid tens counting element to prevent transfer operation thereofirrespective of any movement of said arm.

7. A counting mechanism comprising units, tens and hundreds countingelements, a rotary shaft for rotating the units counting element incounting operations, means carried4 by said shaft for frictionallysupporting said tens and hundreds counting elements for driving movementduring transfer operations, detents holding said tens and hundredscounting elements from-rotat-i ing with said units counting elementuntil transfer to said tens and hundreds counting elements respectivelyis required, means `operated by said units counting element forreleasing the detent from said tens counting element for a transferoperation thereof by said frictional means that operates said tenscounting element, and means operated by said tens counting element andby said detent therefor for releasing the said detent from said hundredscounting element when a transfer operation thereof is required.

8. A counting mechanism comprising units, tens and hundreds countingelements, a rotary shaft for rotating the "units counting element incounting operations, means carried by said shaft' for frictionallysupporting said tens and hundreds counting elements for driving movementduring transfer operations, detents holding said tens and hundredscounting elements from rotating with said units counting element untiltransfer to said tens and hundreds counting elements respectively isrequired, means operated-by said units count- -ing element for releasingthe detent from said tens counting element for a transfer operationthereof by said frictional means that operates said tens countingelement, means operated by', said tens counting element and by saiddetent therefor for releasing the said detent from said hundredscounting element when a transfer operation thereof is required, andmeans whereby said detents will stop said tens and hundreds countingelements respectively in their diiferent digital positions.

9. In a coiuitng mechanism, a rotary shaft, a units counting elementsupported and rotated by said shaftin counting operations, frictiondiscs attached to said shaft, tens andhundreds counting elementssupported and rotated by said discs in concentric spaced relation withsaid shaft in transfer operations, a detent holding the tens countingelement from turning with the units counting element until transfer isrequired, means operated by said units counting element for releasingsaid detent from tens counting element when transfer is required fromunits to tens, a detent holding said hundreds counting element fromturning with said tens counting element, and mechanism operated in partby said tens counting element and in part by said detent therefor forreleasing said detent from said hundreds counting element when transferto said hundreds co-unting element is required.

10. In a counting mechanism, a rotary shaft, a units counting elementsupported and rotated by said shafti in counting operations, frictionydiscs attached to said shaft, tens and hundreds counting elementssupported and-rotatedby said discs in concentric spaced relation withsaid shaft in transfer operations, a detent holding the tens' countingelement from turning with the unitsy counting element until transfer isrequired, means operated by said units counting element for releasingsaid detent from tens counting element when transfer is required fromunits to tens, a detent holding said hundreds counting element fromturning with said tens counting element, mechanismpperated in part bysaid tens counting element and in part by said detent therefor forreleasing said detent from said hundreds counting element when transferto said hundreds counting element is required, and means for engagingsaid detents with said tens and hundreds counting elements respectivelyto stop said elements after they have been turned one digital step.

l1. In a counting mechanism having a shaft and a units counting elementrotated thereby in counting operations, a tens counting y element havingabutments thereon, a lever movable toward and from said tens countingelement, a pawl supported by said lever engageable with said abutmentsrespectively to prevent rotation of said tens counting element with saidunits counting element, means operated by said units count=| ing elementfor moving said lever to disengage said pawl from said abutmentsrespectively, and a spring for moving said pawl to position beyond theabutment from which it had been disengaged and preventing reengagementof said pawl with said abutment.

12. In a counting mechanism, a units counting element and a plurality ofcounting elements arranged in successive higher denominational orders incooperative relation to said units counting element, means for rotatingsaid units counting elementl in counting and clearing operations,frictional means for supporting said counting elements in concentricspaced relation with shaft and rotating said elements in said higherde-l nominational orders in cooperative relationship to eachother and tosaid units counting element in transferring, detents for holding saidcounting elements in higher denominational orders from turning with saidunits counting element until transfer to said higher denominationalelements is required, and mechanism controlled by said units element forreleasing said detents for operation of said higher denominationalelements by said frictional means in transferring, said detents beingoperative to stop said higher denominational elements respectively whentransfer movement thereof is completed.

13. Inra counting mechanism, a rotary shaft, a units counting elementrotatively supported by saidshaft, a tens counting element in axialalinement with said units counting element, a disc attached to andcoaxial with said shaft, rollers supported by said tens counting elementand engaging the periphery of said disc, means yieldingly holding saidrollers in engagement with the periphery of said disc to rotate Saidtens counting element by said disc, and mechanism controlled by saidunits counting element controlling step by step rotation of said tenscounting element in one direction.

14. In a counting mechanism, a rotary shaft, a units counting elementrotatively supported by said shaft, a tens counting element in axialalinement with said units counting element, a disc attached to andcoaxial with said shaft, rollers supported by said tens counting elementand engaging the periphery of said disc, means yieldingly holding saidrollers in engagement with the periphery of said disc to rotate saidtens counting element by said disc, mechanism controlled by said unitscounting element controlling step by step rotation of said tens countingelement in one direction, a hundreds counting element, frictional meansfor rotating said hundreds counting element by said shaft, and devicescontrolled by said mechanism controlling step by step rotation of saidhundreds counting ele- 10 ment in one direction.

15. In a counting mechanism, a rotary operating shaft, a series ofcounting elements including units tens and hundreds, Irictional meanssupported by said shaft and supporting said counting elements inconcentric spaced relation with said shaft and rotating said countingelements respectively in counting operations and in transferringoperations, and mechanism operated by said units counting elementcontrolling transfer operations of said tens and hundreds countingelements by said frictional means.

KENLY C. BUGG.

